Systems and methods for use in operating power generation systems

Abstract

A control system is provided. The control system includes a turbine controller that is configured to generate at least a first signal that is representative of pitch control commands for a plurality of turbine blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control commands for the turbine blades. A first pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller, wherein the first pitch controller is configured to receive the first signal and to implement the pitch control commands for each of the turbine blades in response to receiving the first signal. A second pitch controller is coupled to the turbine controller and to the first pitch controller, wherein the second pitch controller is configured to receive the second signal and to implement the pitch control commands to each of the turbine blades when the first pitch controller is unable to implement the pitch control commands.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A control system for a power generation system, wherein the power generation system comprises a plurality of turbine blades coupled to a hub, a plurality of motors, and a plurality of motor drives, wherein each motor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of turbine blades and to a corresponding one of the plurality of motor drives, said control system comprising:
 a turbine controller configured to generate at least a first signal that is representative of a pitch control command to change a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control command; 
 a first pitch controller coupled to said turbine controller, said first pitch controller configured to receive the first signal and to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding primary motor drive signal to each of the plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the first signal; and 
 a second pitch controller coupled to said turbine controller and to said first pitch controller, said second pitch controller is configured to receive the second signal and to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding secondary motor drive signal to each of the plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the second signal when said first pitch controller is unable to implement the pitch control command. 
 
     
     
       2. A control system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said turbine controller is configured to:
 receive a plurality of feedback signals from at least one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller; and 
 determine when to transmit one of the first signal and the second signal to said first pitch controller and to said second pitch controller, respectively, based on the plurality of feedback signals. 
 
     
     
       3. A control system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of said plurality of motor drives selectively receives one of the first signal and the second signal. 
     
     
       4. A control system in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of motor drives selectively receives one of the first signal and the second signal based on a communication loss. 
     
     
       5. A control system in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein each of said first and second pitch controllers are configured to determine which one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller implements the pitch control command. 
     
     
       6. A control system in accordance with  claim 5 , wherein each of said first and second pitch controllers are configured to make the determination based on an assessment of the communication between each of said first and second pitch controllers and at least one of said turbine controller and the plurality of motor drives. 
     
     
       7. A control system in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein at least one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller transmits a signal representative of the implementation determination to said turbine controller. 
     
     
       8. A power generation system comprising:
 a turbine comprising a plurality of blades that are configured to rotate in at least one direction; 
 a plurality of motor drives: 
 a plurality of motors, each said motor is coupled to a corresponding one of said plurality of blades and to a corresponding one of said plurality of motor drives; and 
 a control system coupled to said turbine, wherein said control system comprises: 
 a turbine controller configured to generate at least a first signal that is representative of a pitch control command to change a pitch angle of said plurality of blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control command; 
 a first pitch controller coupled to said turbine controller, said first pitch controller configured to receive the first signal and to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding primary motor drive signal to each of said plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the first signal; and 
 a second pitch controller coupled to said turbine controller and to said first pitch controller, said second pitch controller is configured to receive the second signal and to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding secondary motor drive signal to each of said plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the second signal when said first pitch controller is unable to implement the pitch control command. 
 
     
     
       9. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein said turbine controller is configured to:
 receive a plurality of feedback signals from at least one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller; and 
 determine when to transmit one of the first signal and the second signal to said first pitch controller and to said second pitch controller, respectively, based on the plurality of feedback signals. 
 
     
     
       10. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein each of said plurality of motor drives selectively receives one of the first signal and the second signal. 
     
     
       11. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 10 , wherein each of said plurality of motor drives selectively receives one of the first signal and the second signal based on a communication loss. 
     
     
       12. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 8 , wherein each of said first and second pitch controllers are configured to determine which one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller implements the pitch control command. 
     
     
       13. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein each of said first and second pitch controllers are configured to make the determination based on an assessment of the communication between each of said first and second pitch controllers and at least one of said turbine controller and said plurality of motor drives. 
     
     
       14. A power generation system in accordance with  claim 13 , wherein at least one of said first pitch controller and said second pitch controller transmits a signal representative of the implementation determination to said turbine controller. 
     
     
       15. A method for operating a power generation system, wherein the power generation system comprises a plurality of turbine blades coupled to a hub, a plurality of motors, and a plurality of motor drives, wherein each motor is coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of turbine blades and to a corresponding one of the plurality of motor drives, said method comprising:
 generating, via a turbine controller, at least a first signal that is representative of a pitch control command to change a pitch angle of the plurality of turbine blades and a second signal that is representative of the pitch control command; 
 transmitting the first signal to a first pitch controller that is coupled to the turbine controller, wherein the first pitch controller is configured to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding primary motor drive signal to each of the plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the first signal; and 
 transmitting the second signal to a second pitch controller that is coupled to the turbine controller and to the first pitch controller, wherein the second pitch controller is configured to implement the pitch control command by transmitting a corresponding secondary motor drive signal to each of the plurality of motor drives in response to receiving the second signal when the first pitch controller is unable to implement the plurality of pitch control commands. 
 
     
     
       16. A method in accordance with  claim 15 , wherein transmitting the second signal further comprises transmitting the second signal to the second pitch controller simultaneously with the first signal. 
     
     
       17. A method in accordance with  claim 15 , further comprising receiving, selectively, one of the first signal and the second signal by the plurality of motor drives that are each coupled to the first pitch controller and to the second pitch controller. 
     
     
       18. A method in accordance with  claim 17 , wherein receiving, selectively, one of the first signal and the second signal further comprises receiving, selectively, one of the first signal and the second signal based on a communication loss. 
     
     
       19. A method in accordance with  claim 17 , further comprising processing the first signal and the second signal via each of the plurality motor drives. 
     
     
       20. A method in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising transmitting one of the processed first signal and the processed second signal to the plurality of motors.